The Best Internet Speed Test Tools

A speed test is the measuring tape of your internet connection—a handy tool no netizen should live without.

Speed tests give you a reading of your download speeds, upload speeds, and latency. You can use a speed test to determine if your internet connection is fast enough for activities like streaming and video calls, and you can run speed tests to figure out if your internet provider delivers your plan’s promised speeds.

There are tons of speed test tools available to use for free online, but some are better than others. Of course, we here at HighSpeedInternet.com favor our own speed test the most. But we’ve used a ton of other speed tests as well, so read on for our guide to the best internet speed tests.

Jump to: Test your internet speed | How to take a speed test | Best speed test tools | How does a speed test work? | How much internet speed do you need? | FAQ

Jump to:

• Test your internet speed
• How to take a speed test
• Best speed test tools
• How does a speed test work?
• How much internet speed do you need?
• FAQ

Test your internet speed

Did we mention we have our own speed test? It’s pretty cool—give it a try!

Test your speed anywhere with a speed test app

Download our free speed test app (iOS and Android) to take our speed test on your phone. The app is ad-free and can measure Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, and LTE speeds from anywhere. Another advantage of testing your speed from an app is the detailed test result history.

How to run a speed test

You can run a speed test simply by clicking the button on whatever test you’re using. To get the most accurate results, make sure to close out apps and browser windows so you don’t tax your bandwidth with unnecessary traffic. You can even plug your computer directly into your router, gateway, or mesh system via Ethernet.

If you’re running a speed test over Wi-Fi, make sure your device is connected to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band, and you’re within a few feet of the router or gateway. The 2.4 GHz band is guaranteed to give you a false reading on plans under 200Mbps, so keep that in mind. Routers, gateways, and mesh systems with band steering enabled will likely give you an incorrect reading, too.

Also, internet speeds tend to fluctuate—you’ll never get a single, fixed speed—so it’s best to run multiple tests to get a broader understanding of your internet’s capabilities. You can also run tests at different times throughout the day to see how your download and upload speeds fluctuate around factors like more users and increased traffic.

Compare the best speed tests

Most user friendly: HighSpeedInternet.com Speed Test

Obviously we’re biased, but we love our test because it’s easy to use and full of helpful info. Drop-down FAQs give you insights into how the speed test works and how your internet’s performance compares with other users in your same state and with your same internet provider. You can’t choose a test server like you can on Ookla’s test, but if you’re shopping for internet, you can take a look at a detailed list of internet providers serving your area to see what other plans and speeds are available. We also have an app that gives you a simplified readout of your download and upload speeds.

Most customizable: Ookla Speed Test

Ookla’s speed test is the industry standard—fitting for a brand whose homepage is literally speedtest.net. Ookla’s test is reliable and packed with useful information. You can keep a record of all the tests you take if you sign up for an account, and the desktop browser version lets you change test servers to come up with more nuanced diagnostics. The app comes with a free VPN, and you can buy a premium, ad-free Ookla app for a dollar, which may be worth the investment, considering both the app and browser version can get cluttered with banner ads.

Most practical: M-Lab Speed Test

Type “internet speed test” or “Wi-Fi speed test” into Google, and this one pops up. You can run a test instantly without even going to a website. This open-source test, designed by Google-backed Measurement Lab, archives all its data and makes it available online for public perusal. You can even use M-Lab’s source code to make your own testing platform. (That’s how HighSpeedInternet.com made its speed test.) The main drawback is it doesn’t have the advanced features you see on Ookla or Speedof.me’s tests, like the ability to choose a test server or track multiple tests over time.

Most fun: Meteor

This app-only test from data analytics company Opensignal does the same thing every other speed test does, but the graphics can’t be beaten. A yellow meteor thing that flies across the screen in different directions when the test runs, and a smiling, Clippy-style virtual assistant you can tap on to let you know how good your speeds are. It’s not exactly scientific, and we wish there was a browser version, but still—who knew a speed test could be this fun?!

Most interesting: Speedof.me

Unlike the other tests on this list, this one measures your connection’s consistency in addition to your speeds—color-coded graphs track fluctuation in your download and upload speeds throughout the test. Similar to Ookla, Speedof.me keeps track of all the tests you run, letting you spot trends over time and identify potential weaknesses in your connection.

How does a speed test work?

A speed test is an online tool that measures your internet connection’s download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping rate).

Speed tests measure upload and download speeds by connecting to a nearby server and sending chunks of sample data back and forth to see how long the transfers take. Meanwhile, the speed test calculates the time it takes to send a message to the server and receive a reply, giving you a measure of your latency (or ping rate).

Here are some key terms to help you understand how a speed test works:

• Download speed: The speed at which your device receives data from the internet, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.
• Upload speed: The speed at which your device sends data to the internet, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.
• Latency (Ping): The time (measured in milliseconds) it takes for a signal to travel from your device to an internet server and back. Lower latency means your connection has a better response time for activities like gaming and livestreams.
• IP address: Internet protocol address—the unique numerical code that identifies an internet-connected device and its geographic location.
• Server location: The location of the server you connect to in order to run the speed test.

How much internet speed do you need?

You need enough internet speed to accomplish your usual online tasks with minimal slowdowns. You also want a fast enough speed to support other users on your Wi-Fi. Use our “How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?” tool to figure out the best bandwidth for your abode.

Everyone has different Wi-Fi speed needs. Developers and Instagram influencers likely want the fastest download and upload speeds possible, but regular folks can get by with a slower connection if they don’t do much other than check email and stream a few TV shows at night.

Here are some simple rules to follow to make sure you’re getting the speeds you need:

• More Wi-Fi users require more bandwidth. If you’re sharing your internet with a lot of people, you want a faster download speed to ensure everyone gets the reliable service they need.
• Video calls benefit from faster upload speeds. Upload speeds are generally slower on internet connections, but get a plan with faster upload speeds (or, even better, symmetrical Wi-Fi speeds) if you spend a lot of time making video calls, uploading to cloud servers, or hosting livestreams.
• Fiber internet is always better (if you can get it). Even the slowest fiber internet plan is still fast and reliable. Fiber-optic cable is extremely efficient, and you get symmetrical speeds with a fiber connection.
• You don’t always need gigabit internet. Some internet providers like to encourage users to get the fastest speeds possible, but gigabit internet can be pricey—and most people don’t need it. Save your money with an internet plan that meets your speed needs and no more.

How to get faster internet

You can get a faster internet connection by upgrading your plan or switching to a new internet provider. You can also get positive results with home remedies, like moving your router to a more centralized location in your home.

Here’s a quick breakdown of ways to boost your bandwidth.

• Upgrade your internet plan. Many providers offer multiple tiers of internet speeds, so check with your internet provider to see whether you can pay more for faster service.
• Update your router. A healthy router ensures that you get the fastest speeds possible on your plan. Aim to get a router that meets Wi-Fi standards of 802.11ac or 802.11ax, the latter better known as Wi-Fi 6.
• Move your router. Your router is the heart of your Wi-Fi’s circulatory system—so make sure it’s in a central area in your home where the wireless signal can travel easily. Keep it out of closets and away from obstructive objects and electric appliances.
• Plug into Ethernet. Skip the Wi-Fi signal entirely and plug your computer directly into your router with an Ethernet cable to reduce the chance of signal interference and establish a more direct line to your internet connection.
• Get fiber internet. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: fiber internet is the best bet for all netizens’ needs. It’s not available everywhere, but if you can get it, we highly recommend it.
• Switch to a new internet provider. If you can get faster speeds from a different internet provider, so be it. Run a search with your zip code below to see what’s available in your area.

FAQ about internet speed tests